Relay protection mirror operation technology based on digital twin

Abstract When conducting relay protection research, research costs can be significantly reduced if protection principle development, protection parameter verification and debugging can be carried out without relying on actual protection devices. The concept of ‘digital twin’ has made this possible, but the existing research has shortcomings in real-time data interaction ability, protection logic transparency, interface standardization, human–computer interaction etc., and consequently, mirror operation of relay protection in digital space has not been fully realized. Therefore, referring to the characteristics of digital twin, and combining with the practical application requirements in relay protection, this paper proposes the concept and characteristics of relay protection mirror operation based on digital twin. Key solutions are proposed to address the difficulties that may be encountered in the implementation of relay protection mirror operation in terms of protection principles, interfaces, real-time operation of the system, and human–computer interaction function simulation. Finally, an example of 110 kV double-bus and double-branch bus protection is used to verify the feasibility and progressiveness of the scheme proposed in this paper by comparing the action behavior and external characteristics of the twin protection and the actual protection device. The presented research can provide a reference for further in-depth research and application of relay protection using digital means.